College coach on whether Jackie Bradley Jr. is ready for the Red Sox? 'Without a doubt'

Thursday, March 14, 2013 -- Scott Lauber

FORT MYERS -- Ray Tanner doesn't know much about service time or ticking free agent clocks.

But Tanner knows this: Jackie Bradley Jr. can handle the majors.

"Without a doubt," the former University of South Carolina baseball coach said by phone a few weeks ago, even before Bradley began taking Red Sox camp by storm. "For me, the maturity - check; the ability to run bases - check; play defense - check; show up every day - check. Everything else, the press, the ability to play, he's way beyond his years. Can he handle it? Absolutely."

So far, Bradley is doing his best to convince the Red Sox of that, batting .536 (15-for-28) entering today's game against the Twins. And although spring training stats are rarely an accurate harbinger of regular-season success, it's difficult to deny that Bradley has been the best player in camp. That, combined with the likelihood that David Ortiz will open the season on the disabled list, has prompted discussion that the Sox would be best served by keeping Bradley as their primary left fielder and moving defensively challenged veteran Jonny Gomes to designated hitter.

For now, though, indications are that the club would rather Bradley open the season in Triple A, a level at which he has not yet played. It wouldn't necessarily mean he won't spend considerable time in the majors this season, a la third baseman Will Middlebrooks, whose timetable was unexpectedly accelerated last year after Kevin Youkilis injured his groin in May. (In today's Herald, John Tomase asked Middlebrooks to discuss his experience and how it may relate to Bradley's future.[1]) But starting Bradley in Triple A would be the conservative approach, and it guards against the possibility that a 22-year-old outfielder with only 615 minor league plate appearances may be overwhelmed by either the bright lights or, more likely, the advanced pitching on the major league stage.

After all, Bradley isn't immune to slumps. He struggled last August at Double-A Portland, and even Tanner, with whom Bradley won two NCAA championships, has seen him press at the plate.

"His junior year, he came out of the blocks trying to show that he had a little power and got a little pull-happy," Tanner said. "That's not his game. His game is using the whole field. That's when he was at his best for us. That's who he's got to be. He's got to take his walks. He's got to be an on-base percentage guy. He'll be a pretty good hitter, but I think that's where he has to be."

As for where Bradley will be playing this season, Tanner believes it's only a matter of time before he arrives in Boston.

"I can't imagine the Red Sox having three outfielders right now that can defend better than him," Tanner said. "It's just a matter of when the organization, the manager, feels that he's going to be good enough offensively."